See you in court

On Friday 9 September 2016, a lawyer acting on behalf of Bristol City fans who were wrongly issued a section 35 dispersal notice, started court proceedings against West Midlands Police.

Before the away game at Birmingham City on 12 September 2015, 51 Bristol City fans were prevented from attending the game and escorted straight to New Street station to return to Bristol. The Supporters Club & Trust and the supporters caught up in this believe this is wrong and are claiming false imprisonment and a breach of Article 5 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

The primary purpose of bringing this action is to ensure that future use of these dispersal powers is not abused by West Midlands Police and other forces around the country. We also aim to secure compensation for those affected.

The Supporters Club and Trust to date has paid for the action including legal and court fees. We believe this is fundamentally the role of a pro-active supporters group acting in the best interests of supporters.

We needed to start the case with some urgency because any claim relating to Human Rights must be brought within 12 months. Due to the delayed response from West Midlands police to our original letter of claim (6 months) a judge can later agree to extend this deadline for people who miss it and there is a good chance a judge will agree to do this. So, whilst we have initiated cases on behalf of 10 supporters, even if you missed the deadline, it is still worth coming forward and we can possibly add you to the claim later. Meanwhile, other funding options are being explored to support this.

We are still interested in hearing from any fans who were innocently caught up in this, particularly any that were drinking in and around the Square Peg Wetherspoons pub and then made their way on foot towards St Andrews from 2.30pm that day. Please email stu@bristolcityst.org.uk with a contact telephone number. The resulting call from the legal team will only take 10 minutes to gather some basic information.

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Programme club:Talking of Mike, his Programme Club supplies the whole season’s league home programmes for £60 instead of the cover price £69. So, if you would like your copy guaranteed and/or away and cup tie programmes supplied at cover price (with postal charges if sent that way), please also get in touch with Mike at the e-mail address above.

“The ‘Old’ Ashton Gate – Fans, Players & Memorable Moments”This is a book that we are working on that will record memories of Ashton Gate in days gone by, before they are lost in time. To have yours incorporated, and we’re sure you have some, please e-mail them (again to Mike at his address above) or bring written stories to him at his regular matchday post next to the programme seller at the Winterstoke Road entrance. Alternatively, he can arrange to have a chat with you about your memories and make notes from that, if you prefer. ... See MoreSee Less

With a new season upon us, the Bristol City Supporters Club & Trust is delighted to let you know that after two seasons of temporary arrangements we have now have a long-term matchday ‘home’.

The new SC&T bar is on the first floor of the Sports Bar & Pizzeria (in space previously earmarked for a museum). As you can see from the photo below, it has been starting to take shape over the last couple of weeks and for the speed with which that has been achieved special thanks are due to Mark Kelly and Ross Wormald of Ashton Gate Limited, who have pulled out all the stops to help us get the bar ready in time for Saturday’s game.

Not all fixtures and fittings will be in place on Saturday, but the bar will be open for business. So come along and see how it’s looking so far. Then enjoy seeing the final look evolve over the next couple of weeks.

Access to the bar is via the Sports Bar & Pizzeria (doors on the corner of South and Lansdown Stands). You then go through the main bar and up the stairs at the far end, as though you were heading to the loos. Our bar is on your left at the top of the stairs (the lift takes you straight there as well).

As in previous years, the bar is open to all qualifying members on a first come, first served basis (i.e. until capacity is reached). To check which levels of membership qualify for use of the bar and to join or re-join, please visit the Membership Page on our website. bristolcitysupporters.org/supporter-info/

If you have any questions about membership, want to check what level of membership you have or whether you are paid up, please contact our membership secretary, Mike Adams, at blagdonmike@gmail.com. ... See MoreSee Less

Supporters Club & Trust decide to recognise 1975/76 team Five players and manager already in the Hall of Fame Presentation to take place after Sunday's match

The Supporters Club & Trust will be inducting nine former players into their Hall of Fame after Sunday’s season finale with Birmingham City (midday kick-off).

Five members of the 1975/76 promotion-winning squad, along with manager Alan Dicks, are already in the Hall of Fame. They are: Geoff Merrick, Tom Ritchie, Trevor Tainton, Gerry Sweeney and the late Gerry Gow.

Now the Board of the Supporters Club & Trust have chosen to add the remaining members of the squad – who made the significant contribution of securing City top-flight status in 1976 – into the Hall of Fame.

Of those players, Cashley, Cheesley, Whitehead, Drysdale and Gillies will be at the Birmingham game, before being welcomed on to stage after the match in the Family Festival, sponsored by Poplar Insulation, to receive their Hall of Fame status.

The End of Season Awards will also be presented, before an hour-long set from the Wurzels. Entry to the Family Festival is by ticket only (season or match).

There is a fans meeting set up with the club and Bristol sport. Plan is for those in the Atyeo to meet Martin G (Head of Bristol Sport) etc at Ashton gate 6pm Wednesday January 4th. That is to happen then after a fans to discuss it further in the Rising sun from 8pm. This will be quite an important meeting with regards to the future plans for fans in the Atyeo and any fan themed bars. So that's the plan if you make it great but it's in fans interest to come and say your piece as it may well things could get decided for you.. Fans from other stands are welcome to attend. ... See MoreSee Less